Machine for wrapping small articles.



J. B. C. AUGUST. MACHLNE Fon 'WRAPPLNG SMALL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FI'LED JUNE 30| |915.

Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

g g i TT n n EYIS..

l 1. n. c. AUGUST.v MACHINE FOR WRAPPING SMALL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30.1915.

Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVEN-I-FL l" A ATTnR v THB COLUMBIA PLANOGI'MPH CO.. WASHINGTON. D. C. y

v1. R. c. AUGUST.

MACHINE FOR WRAPPING SMALL ARIICLESl APPLICATION FILED IUNE 30. 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHIEET 3.

INVENTEIR ATTEIRNEYS MACHINE FOR WRAPPIN SMALL ARTICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June13, 1916.

Application filed June 3 0, 1915. Serial No. 37,281.

T o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHANNES ROBERT CARL AUGUST, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at The Hollins, Sowerby Bridge, in the county of Yorkshire, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Vrapping Small Articles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and `exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates t improvements in machines for wrapping small articles as for instance toffee. Hereafter the term toffee will be used for brevity but it is to be understood that this term includes other small articles.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine for the above purpose which is capable of being run at a high speed the operation of which will, at the same time,

not be affected by small irregularities in the shape and size of the article to be wrapped.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which f Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of the wrapping and twisting mechanism. Fig. 2 is a front view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram of an electric circuit employed in connection with the machine. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the toffee feeding mechanism. Fig. 6 is a view of the relative positions of the toli'ee and wrapper as it is fed to the folding devices. Fig. 7 is a plan of a portion of a conveyer and means shownas in Fig. 5 for supplying a. batteryvof feed hoppers with toffees therefrom.

In these drawingsv two elastic belts or bands 1 preferably of vulcanized rubber are employed one above the other, being mounted on pulleys or supporting rollers 2 in such a manner that the lower run of the upper l in the operation of the machine. y This shaft carries a pinion 21 which meshes with with the upper belt.

intermediate toothed wheel 2O which' in its turn engages with a toothed wheel 19 revolubly mounted on the drivingy shaft 18 of the. upper band. Connected to this'whe'el 1s an armature 16 in the form of a disk. keyed on the shaft 18 there is a drum 17 containing an 'electromagnet 10. Also keyed on the shaft 18 is a commutator 23 having brushes located in an electric circuit such as shown in Fig. 4. One of the rings of the commutator 23 has an insulated space 24. Mounted one on each side of the belts -or bands is a gripping device consisting of a solenoid 9 with a core 11.. 0n the upper projection of this core which passes up through a frame 13 there is mounted a Jaw 12. In this frame 13 is mounted a Second jaw 15 which by means of a rack on its downward extension is connected by means of a small pinion 14 to a similar rack on the upward extension of the core 11. The solenoids 9 are arranged in a circuit with the electro-magnet 10 and a switch consisting of terminals 7, 8 is located under the upper run of the lower band 1 being arranged in the electric circuit above referred to.

` The action of the device so far described is as follows:-The toffee 3 with a piece of paper 4 partially around it as shown in Fig. 6 which is effected in the manner hereinafter described is placed upon the projecting portion of the lower belt or band and travels along on the same till it comes into contact The lower belt continues its motion and so rolls the toffee forming the paper around it into a tube. The toffee forms a bulge in the bands and causes the lower band to press against the terminal 7 and so closes it down on to the terminal 8 closing the electric circuit shown in Fig. 4 with the result that the cores 11 in the solenoids 9 are immediately pulled down gripping the ends of the tube of paper, formed Vas above described and as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, between the jaws 12 and 15 holding thesame stationary. At the same time, as the electro-magnet 1,0 is open ated, the armature disk 16 is locked against the drum 17 .y As the toothed wheel 19 is continually and freely revolved on the shaft 18 the motion of the saine will be transmitted through the disk 16 to the drum 17 and so tothe shaft 18 causing the shaft 18 to rotatey in the same direction as the shaft G which will cause the under run of the upper band 1 to be moved. in an opposite direction to the vupperrun of the lower band 1, the two bands being moved at exactly the same speed with the result that the toffee and piece of held paper will as a wholeremain stationary i but will be spun about its `own axis with the ends of the paper held clamped between the' jaws 12 vand 15 so twisting up the ends' of" the paper tube.l On howevertheshaft 18y f making practically a complete vrevolution the insulatedportion 24 will come under one of thebrushes25 and so open the electric circuit immediately denergizing the solenoids.y 9v

and releasing-the jaws 12 and 15 and so freeing ythe paper tube about the toffee.V This breaking of the circuit will also denergize the electro-magnet 10 and so vrelease the Vdrum 17 from the disk 16 and thereby cause lower band 1 will eject the toffeev with the ends ofthe tube surrounding it twisted up from .between the bands into any suitable receptacle,

' To compensate for-the natural decrease in.' Ythelength of the tube of paper about the rtoffee as itis twisted the solenoids 1.9Y arey swung on suitably held screws 28 which permit of their swinging'v somewhat' about a horizontal axis. The axis about which they swing is so `located that these solenoids and jaws will normally remain in such a position that the cores 11 will re-assume -a vertical position on'being released from the paper wrapping. Y

` To` afford a suitable feed of the tofees and papers in the position shown in Fig. 6 to theV bands the following arrangement 'is adopted. A chute 34 is arranged in which ythe toffees 3 are placed one above the other as shown by means hereinafter described so thatrthe lowest of the toffees lies in a horizontal passage 36. 1n one end Yof this passage there is mounted a plunger 35 which is connected by a suitable cross bar 35a to suitable guide rods 47 located one on each side of the machine and normallyheld in the position in which theplungeri35is retracted by springs 58. The forward ends of the'rods 47 areconnected by suitable pivot connections to an arm 46 ofaswinging yoke 43 ofwhich'there is one mounted on each side of the machine beingl-pivotedabout suitabley bearings 44. This yoke is provided with a curved arm 46a concentric with theV center abouty which the yoke turns. upon which the toothed wheel 20 is mounted carries at each enda cam 48 which contacts The shaft 45 Y .with a stop 49' on the yoke 43 in the revolution of the shaft 45. The chute or passage 36 just pastthe chute 34 lisprovided with a passage 37 at right angles up into which the wrapping paper 4 passes. This paper passes between suitably mounted resiliently covered rollers 38 concentric with one of whichthere yisarranged a toothed wheel 39 which is connected up to the toothed wheel 42 on the shaft 6 by an idlewheel 40 mounted on a swinging plate 41. yThis plate 41 is connected by a'link 53 to one of two levers 51 which are arranged toward each .side of the machine and are suitably pivoted at 52. These levers 51 eachcarry. at their upper end a rolleiwhich lies'in the path ofthe projection mounted underneath the :plunger 35. These levers are also connected to a frame on which is mounted a gripping plate 55a normally held in its .outward position by springs 57. VThe frame 55 at the same time carries a knife 54. Y Located below and to the other'side of thechute 37 is a stationary recessed block 56.Y n v c l The action of this part of the device is as follows-The shaft 6 in its rotation rotates the cam 48 whichacts against a. stop 49` on the yoke 43 which owing to its engagement withlthe rods 47 pushes forward the plunger -35 and so displaces one'piece of toffee from the'chute 34 along the passage 36. As the toffee isbrought into contact with the paper chute 37 the `,projections 50 come into contact with the lever 51 which swings the plate 41 somewhat so as to throw the idle wheel 40 Yout of gear with the toothed'wheel 38 and so stops the forwarding Aof the papeizby'the rollers 38. 'At the same time the frame55 is forced forward till the gripping plate 55@ presses the paper against the ygrooved plate or block'56. A further movement vof the frame '55 Ycauses the knife to move forward relative to the gripping block 55a causing it to enter somewhat into the recess yin the block 56 and sever the paper.' Thefurther movement of the plunger forces the toffee together'with the cut ofl1 Vpiece of paper on to thelupper run on the lower band in theposition shown in Fig. 6 in which condition it is acted on by the two bands l1 in thermanner above de-V scribed. When the cam`v48'passes the stop 49 the plunger 35 and its appurtenances are forced backowin'g to the: springs'58 ready to force the next piece of'toee.V i

To makeiit possiblelto feedfa battery or number of above described'mlachines from one .central feed the arrangement shown in",` F1gs.-5 and 7 is adopted. '1n connection' Y witheach machine there isfa hopper 27. Over thishopper there is arranged'a Vcon-V veyer band 59 upon which the toffees are placed. In .connection with each hopper there is arranged a deflecting plate or baffle4 l69which baffles progressively projectsomewhat more over the belt 59 so as to deflect a given quantity of the pieces of totee into each trough 27. At the bottom of each ot' these troughs 27 is a traveling band 22 mounted on suitable rollers 30 which band 22 is provided with ribs or projections 29 at such a distance apart as to accommodate one toffee between each two ribs. At the end of each hopper 27 there is arranged a chute 33 which is curved around the forward roller 80 and continued to point over the chute 34 of the respective machine. A constantly rotating wheel 3l with arms 32 is arranged in connection with each of the 'troughs 27 which continually throws back the surplus toffees, which accumulate on the band 22, to the rear of the hopper 27.

l claim:-

l. ln a machine for wrapping small articles, provided with a strip of paper pro jecting at each side beyond the article to be wrapped, means comprising two endless belts, with means for moving same for roll` ing the article and the piece of paper bodily together to place the paper around the article, subsequent means for rotating the article and surrounding piece of paper about their own axis, means for holding the projeeting sides of said paper during the rotation oit said paper and article about their own axis and means for subsequently releasing said paper and said article.

2. In ay machine -for wrapping small articles, means for placing a piece of paper around the article so that the sides of the paper project somewhat beyond the article, means for gripping the paper by the pro jecting ends, means for rotating the article about its own axis, said means comprising two endless belts. with means for moving same and means tor subsequently releasing the paper and article.

In a machine for wrapping` small arti-- cles, two parallel bands in close proximity `the one to the other, means Yfor inserting the article to bey between said bands wrapped and a suitably sized piece of paper which projects somewhat beyond the article to each side in a direction crosswise of the said bancs, means for forwarding one of said bands relative to the other, means 'for moving the other band at given periods in a direction opposite and at the same speed as the first band,` means iter gripping the paper by its projecting sides during the period that the second baud is being forwarded and means tor subsequently releasing` said article and paper.

et. In a machine for wrapping small articles, two endless bands mounted with the lower run ot' one band parallel to and in close proximity te the upper run et' the lower band, means for supporting the bands in these relative positions, means for inserting the article to be wrapped and a piece olil paper of such a sire as to project somewhat beyond the sides ot the article and beyond the sides of the bands between said bands, means for forwarding one or said bands to roll the article and piece of paper bodily against the other yband for a given period, means for forwarding the adjacent run of the other band in an opposite direction at and for a given period, means for holding the projecting sides of the paper during this last mentioned period and means for subsequently releasing said paperV and articles.

5. In a machine for wrapping small articles, an endless band, means for continuously traveling said band, a second endless band located over and in close proximity to and parallel to the first band, means for forwarding said second band periodically in such a direction that the adjacent runs of said bands run in opposite directions, means for placing the article to be wrapped and a piece oit paper which projects somewhat beyond the article to be wrapped and beyond the sides of the bands betweensaid bands, means for gripping the projecting ends of the piece of paper at such periods as the second band is forwarded and means for subsequently releasing the paper.

6. In a machine for wrapping small articles in pieces of paper, means for folding the paper around the article to form a tube the ends ot' the 'tube so .tormed'projecting from the article, jaws located to close on the ends et the tube rformed by the piece of paper about said articles, means for actuating" said jaws, means for turning the paper and the inclosed article about their own axis whenV the ends of the Vpaper are gripped by said jaws, said means comprising two endless belts, with means or moving same, and means for subsequently releasing the article and paper from said jaws.

7. ln a machine for wrapping small articles two endless belts located with their runs parallel one being located above and in close proximity to the other, rollers supporting said bands, means for continuously rotating the rollers of the lower band, means for placing the article to be wrapj'ied and a piece oit paper the sides ot' which project beyond the article and beyond the sides of the bands on the lower 'et said bands, jaws located one set on each side oit and in proximity to the adjacent runs et the two-said bands, means 'for operating said jaws to grip the projecting portions et.' the paper about said article, means for actuating said jaws when said paper comes opposite said jaws. means :tor 'forwarding upper ot, said bands to turn the article and piece ot paper 4surrounding it about their own axis when said jaws are closed, means for subsequently releasing the article and the paper A surrounding the same.

soV

8. In a machine for wrapping small articles in paper, two endless bands, rollers supporting said bands'with the lower run of one band parallel to the upper run of the other band, means for continuously actuating the lower band, a shaft supporting said rollers, a toothed wheel loosely mounted on the shaft supporting one of'tlierrollers of the upper band, means for continuously r0- tating said loose toothed wheel, an electromagnet keyed to said shaft, an armature keyed to said toothed wheel and means for energizing said electro-inagnet at 'such periods as said upper bandis to be traveled,

means for inserting an article with a piece 'fof paper with 'its sides projecting' beyond the article andbeyond the bands between said bands, a gripping device for holding the vprojecting sides of the paper atsuch' times asA the upper band is actuated and means for releasing said article andpapei.

9. In a machine forv wrapping small articles two endless bands located with the `lower run of one band immediately Vover the* upper `run ofthe other band, rollers sup-l porting'said bands, means for rotating said rollers,-clutch means intermediate the rollers of said upper band and said means for rotating'said rollers, gripping jaws located at each side of said bands, controlling means for simultaneously closing said jaws and engaging said lclutch means to connect the rollers of the upper band with the roller rotating ineansl f 10. In a machine n ticles, two endless bands located with the lower run of one band immediately over the upper run'of 4the' other band, rollers supporting said bands, means for rotating said rollers, clutch means Vintermediate to the rollers of said upper band and said roller rotating means, gripping devices located one at each side of said bands, electro-magnetic means controlling eachof said gripping devices, electro-magnetic devices controlling said clutch means, an electric circuit comprising said I different means, a switch in" close poximity to the adjacent runs ofthe said'fbelts also in 'said electric circuit. f l Y Y Y l1, Ina machinefor wrapping small articles, two endless bands-located-with the lower run of one band immediately over the upper Yrun ofthe other band, rollers supporting said bands, v'means for rotating said rollers, clutch means intermediate the rollers of said upperband andcsaid means for Y rotating. said rollers, VgrippingV jaws rlocated 'ateach side of said bands, contro-lling means for simultaneously closing said jaws and engaging said clutch. means to connect the rollers of the upper band with the roller rotatingmeans in combination with a chan-k nel, a chute over and in communication with said channel. for receiving the articles, a

for wrapping small arelectro-magneticv chute for a strip of paper between said'article chute and the lower of said bands, means for forcing a strip of paper'up said 'paper chute, means for severing pieces from said paper, a plunger in said passage, meansy forr operating said` plunger to displace one article and the severed piece of said paper along said passage on to the lower of said bands and means for retracting'said plunger.

12'. In a machine for wrappingsmall articles, a plurality of devices each consisting of two endless bands, located with the lower run of one band immediately over the upper y run of the other hand, rollers supporting said bands, means for rotating said rollers, clutch means intermediate the rollers of said upper band and said means for rotating said rollers, gripping jaws located ateach side of said bands, controlling means for simultaneously closingsaid jaws and engaging said clutch meansrto connect the rollers ofthe upper band with the roller rotating means, a chute for containing 'said articles, means for supplying a. piece of paper to the maof said upperband and said means for ro-` tating said rollers, gripping devices located one at each side of said bands, said gripping devices each'consisting of a solenoid, means for mounting said solenoid about a horizontal axis parallel with the bands, a core` an extension from said core, a jawmounted on said extension` casing, a second jaw slidably mounted in saidA casing and means betweensaid core' and said'second jaw to move the said second jaw in the opposite di; rection to that in which the core is moved and to close the jaws oneon Ythe other.y saidf jaws when closed having'their point of contact on alevel with the Vadjacent runs ofthe hands, a switch located in` proximity to the dja-cent runs of said belts adaptedtov be operated b va bulge in said hands formed by the article between the adjacent rims of said bands and an electro-magnet operating sait solenoid and said switch.

11i. 'In a machine' for wrapping small'articles, two *endless,bands'located with the j lower run of one band in'close proximityA andl 'parallel to theupperjrun of the lower band,

means for operating said bands to iirstlyrel ceive an article to be Wrapped and a piece of paper of a size to project beyond the bands between them, secondly roll the article and paper between them, thirdly to revolve the article and paper about their own axis Without traveling, and fourthly to eject the article and paper in combination with two sets of jaws one on each side of the adjacent runs of the bands and means closing said jaws on to the projecting portion of the paper during the period the said bands are operated to revolve. the article and paper about their own axis.

l5. In a machine for wrapping small articles in separate pieces of paper, provided with a strip of paper of a width to project at each side beyond each article to be wrapped, means for placing each article on a piece of said paper, means for rolling said article and said paper against a stationary surface, means for subsequently holding the part of the paper projecting beyond the article and simultaneously rotating the article and paper and means for subsequently releasing the article and paper.

16. In a machine` for wrapping small articles in separate pieces of paper, provided with a strip of paper of a width to project at each side beyond each article to be wrapped, means for placing each article on a piece of said paper, means for rolling said article and said paper against a stationay surface, means for subsequently holding the part of the paper projecting beyond the article and simultaneously rotating the article and paper and means for subsequently releasing the article and paper in combination with a chute, a passage leading from said chute to said means for rolling the article, a second chute traversing the closed passage between said first chute and said rolling means, means for intermittently feeding a strip of paper up into said second chute, means for periodically severing pieces from said strip of paper and means for forwarding an article from said first chute together with a severed piece of paper on to said means for rolling the article and piece of paper.

In testimony whereof, I aiiiX my signature.

JOHANNES ROBERT CARL UGUST.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner ef Patente Washington, D. G. 

